Love And The Choice Of Literary Devices In Jane Austen's Northanger Abbey

“Northanger Abbey” and the Choice of Literary Devices

The Gothic novel, “Northanger Abbey,” is written by Jane Austen whose life began on December 16, 1775, in Stevenson, England (Gale). She wrote her first novel at the age of fourteen called, “Love and Friendship,” where her witty and satirical humor oozed throughout her novel making her works popular among her intended audience. Austen’s use satire in her novels depicted underlying themes challenging people’s perception of society and class in England during the 17th century. However, her more known satirical novel “Northanger Abbey,” was published in 1818. The novel hints at the dangers of the imagination by having the main character, Catherine, read too many Gothic novels. In “Northanger

Another sub-theme in the novel is the concept of true love and friendship for Austen describes the friendship between Catharine and Isabella as, “…the friendship between Catherine and Isabella was quick as it is beginning had warm, and they passed so rapidly through every gradation of increasing tenderness that there was shortly no fresh proof of it to be given to their friends or themselves” (Austen p.63). Later in the story, Catherine has the realization that Isabella Thrope is not a true friend, she is only concerned about herself for “Catherine could almost have accused Isabella of being wanting in tenderness towards herself and her sorrows, so very little did they appear to dwell on her min, and very inadequate was the comfort she offered” (Austen p.187). Another example, explains Isabella’s toxic behavior for she only befriends Catherine because she is an outsider to the community of Bath and is unknown of Isabella’s flirty reputation. Neill expands this thought by stating, “Isabella is a dubious influence from the start, providing some nicely vulgarized, almost sleazy moments of 'girl talk'” (Neill p.21). But there is also the concept that socioeconomic status, which is highly important and is embodied by both sexes especially by the characters of Mr. Tilney and Mrs. Allen.

During Austen’s lifetime, she wrote many novels that throughout the centuries have become a staple in modern literature. Yet, “Northanger Abbey,” was not published till after her death in 1817 (Gale). Many of her novels such as “Northanger Abbey” to tackle controversial topics of her time such as gender roles, class, and imperialism (Steinbach). Austen uses symbols within her novel to allude to works that may have influenced her such as “The Monk” by Lewis and “The Mysterious of Udolpho” by Radcliffe. However, the reference to Pandora’s box and the Abbey both represent Austen’s perspective about class. However, the themes discovered throughout the novel such as Catherine’s discernment about fantasy, wealth, and friendship all merge to a ‘coming of age’ theme for the novel. Next, is the characterization of the Allen’s, Thorpe’s, and Tilney’s which taught Catherine to discern and balance these new relationships throughout the novel. Even though “Northanger Abbey” is less known of Austen’s novels, it is by far the most satirical and demonstrates Austen’s original creativity as an author and the purpose of why she is still known to modern